PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Standard Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Standard Insurance Company (“The Standard”), has announced a one-year $25,000 grant to the nonprofit veterans’ mental health program Give an Hour. This grant, the third made to the nonprofit organization since 2008, brings the total awarded to Give an Hour by the Foundation to $115,000.
Give an Hour provides free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Give an Hour develops and supports a network of mental health professionals who donate an hour of time each week to military personnel and their families. Founded in 2005, Give an Hour currently has more than 5,200 providers across the nation—in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam—who have contributed nearly 34,000 hours as of November 2010 supporting our troops and their families.
“At The Standard, we strive to help people achieve financial security,” said Greg Ness, president of The Standard Charitable Foundation and president and CEO at The Standard. “This philosophy also guides the Foundation’s commitment to support organizations such as Give an Hour, whose positive impact on families and individuals dealing with disabilities, mental health issues and the loss of loved ones can be felt in communities throughout our nation.”
"Financial support from The Standard Charitable Foundation over a three-year period has helped us continue to make a real difference in the lives of U.S. military personnel and their families," said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour. “The Standard has stepped up in recognition of this very deserving population--helping to address the psychological needs of military personnel and their families so that they can live better, more fulfilling lives."
The grant from The Standard Charitable Foundation will help Give an Hour and its growing network of volunteer mental health providers across the U.S. continue to provide services to members of the military, Guard, and Reserve, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, their families, and their communities. The grant will also help Give an Hour recruit additional volunteers and mental health professionals.
For more information about The Standard Charitable Foundation, please visit www.standard.com/foundation.
About The Standard Charitable Foundation
The Standard Charitable Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of The Standard. Founded in 2006, the Foundation’s mission is to make a positive difference in communities by supporting community development, education, disability and health organizations. While the Foundation has a broad goal of making a positive difference in communities, it places special emphasis on helping individuals and families who have experienced a loss or setback such as a major disability or the loss of a loved one. Since 2006, The Standard, its employees and The Standard Charitable Foundation have contributed more than $8 million in grants and social investments. Additional information about The Standard Charitable Foundation is available at www.standard.com/foundation.
About The Standard
The Standard is a leading provider of financial products and services. The company serves approximately 7.6 million customers nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2010, with group and individual disability insurance, group life, AD&D, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities and investment advice. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com.
The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
About Give an Hour
Give an Hour is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization's mission is to develop national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Currently, Give an Hour is dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of military personnel, their families, and the communities affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Give an Hour has more than 5,200 providers across the nation—in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam—and continues to recruit volunteer mental health professionals to its network. In addition to counseling, providers also consult to schools, first responders, employers and community organizations. To learn more, visit www.giveanhour.org.